While driving through North Denver this fall, I couldn't help but notice the crowds gathered outside a Comfort Inn, their suitcases and trash bags filled with belongings telling a story of displacement. Among them were small children running around in shorts and sandals, women holding babies, and parents seeking shelter for their families. In the following weeks, those crowds swelled, and the streets transformed into makeshift camps of newcomers struggling to survive. Everywhere I looked, people were asking for work, walking the city streets in search of employment. The more I learned about the situation, the more it kept me awake at night. After digging into the daunting legal process newcomers faced and hearing the heart-wrenching stories of their journeys, I knew I had to do something to help.

Like countless other businesses, Echter's has grappled with labor shortages in the wake of the pandemic. We've had to revamp our hiring strategies and adapt our business model to combat the decrease in applicants, many of whom are unwilling to commit to full-time work. It's become all too common for candidates to skip interviews and for employees to call in for shifts, quit without notice, or leave within days of starting. The truth is, finding reliable, committed individuals is a challenge.

The solution, it seemed, was clear: bridge the gap between businesses and newcomers seeking employment. While many newcomers may not yet have work permits, there is a substantial number who either possess one or are eligible to obtain it. My hope is that our industry can rally together to extend opportunities to this deserving group in desperate need of our support.